“The BLA Majeed Brigade today targeted a convoy of Chinese engineers in Gwadar,” the separatist group said in a statement.
‘1 terrorist killed’
Security sources confirmed an attack, but there was no immediate official response.
Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti, a senator and former provincial interior minister, said on X (formerly Twitter) that no Chinese nationals were killed in the attack.
“I strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack on the convoy of Chinese workers in Try it … Fortunately, there was no loss of life, but there are reports that the ambush has been repelled and the attackers have been killed,” he said.
State Radio Pakistan, citing the army’s public relations wing, said the situation was under control. “One terrorist was killed and three others were injured in the exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists in Gwadar,” she said.
It’s not the first time
Various Baluchi militant groups have claimed attacks on projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project in the past, with thousands of security personnel deployed to counter threats against Beijing interests.
- Three Chinese academics and their Pakistani driver were killed when a female suicide bomber detonated her device as they were driving to the Confucius Institute at the University of Karachi in April 2022. The BLA claimed responsibility for that attack.
- A year earlier, five people died in an attack claimed by
Pakistan ‘s Taliban in a luxury hotel receiving the Chinese ambassador in Quetta. - Also in 2021, 12 people, including nine Chinese workers, were killed by an explosion aboard a bus carrying personnel to the Dasu Dam site.
Balochistan is the least populated province of Pakistan but rich in mineral resources.
The Baloch have long complained that they do not get a fair share of the province’s profits, which has given rise to more than a dozen separatist groups.
The CPEC project is the cornerstone of Beijing’s massive Belt and Road Initiative and seeks to link China’s western Xinjiang province with Try it port in the southwest.
Since its inception, CPEC has seen tens of billions of dollars funneled into massive transportation, energy and infrastructure projects.
Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng was in the Pakistani capital last month to mark the 10th anniversary of the project.
(With contributions from agencies)